Paradorn Srichaphan:
He could be the first Asian to reach the top ten

There was no doubt about who Chennaiites were supporting in the Tata Open final: Paradorn Srichaphan, the star from Thailand and the first Asian to reach this ATP final on January 5. His opponent, a shell-shocked Karol Kucera of Slovakia, wilted against the sustained aggression of Paradorn in straight sets.

This guy is a phenomenon. Consider this: at the beginning of 2002, he was ranked 120. He rose to 16 and, after the Tata Open win, he is at no. 14, the first Asian-after Vijay Amritraj, who was ranked 16 in 1980-in tennis history to have such a high ranking and heading, like a heat-seeking missile, towards the top ten.

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi are my friends.
There is a friendly spirit everywhere although everyone is fiercely competitive, says Paradorn Srichaphan.

Born in Bangkok, Paradorn's father, Chanachai, was a club level player. He introduced his two elder sons to the game and as a child, Paradorn picked up his brothers' rackets at the Bang Na club and had a go. He turned out to be the most talented even though, eventually, all three brothers would play for Thailand in the Davis Cup.

Chanachai has been Paradorn's coach from the very beginning. At Chennai and at most ATP tournaments, his father tapes all his matches and the son watches them in his hotel. In Madrid, last October, curious journalists asked him, "Do you actually watch the whole match when you return to the hotel?"

"No, some of it," he replied. About whether Chanachai is critical about his weaknesses, Paradorn had this to say, "Look, he supports me whether I win or lose. When I win, he says, 'Well done.' When I lose, he says, 'Better luck next time.' When I see him smiling in the stands I also smile on court."

On court, Paradorn, with his strong flowing shots from the baseline, has a tendency to go for a winner; that is why his game is so exciting to watch. But, of late, defeats and experience have mellowed him down. "I am now trying to work the ball a little bit, moving from side to side, and waiting for the right moment to go for a winner," he says.

Thailand has gone crazy over Paradorn. His home town of Khonkaen presented him with a golden racket, while his biography has been included in the school curriculum. Guys, don't forget his age: he is only 23. Does Paradorn enjoy the adulation? "Of course, I do," he says frankly, "although it can get a little tiring."

You can't blame the Thais. He is their first authentic champion, with a brilliant future. He has scalped big names like Gustava Kuerten, Martin Safin, Tim Henman, Andre Agassi and world no. 1, Lleyton Hewitt. "Defeating Hewitt in the Japan Open last October has been my biggest success," he says. "He is a superb athlete and returns every ball."

But people are yet to get used to his presence. In Madrid, when he was playing Kuerten, and hit winners, the crowd was silent. They did not know who this player was; they wanted a big name like Kuerten to win the match. They mouthed the word, 'Thailand', and looked at each other puzzled.

Because of Paradorn, Thailand is now a familiar name for tennis fans. And it is a fact that is not lost on the Thai government. They have given father and son a diplomatic passport. Who knows, watching Paradorn play, more tourists might visit Thailand. The tennis player helps matters when, in press interviews, he says, "I love Bangkok. It is the best city in the world." The national airline, Thai Airways, has signed a three-year 10 million baht deal with Paradorn and he can travel free for 3 million miles. "Thai Airways is my second home," he says, "so the deal is wonderful. I eat Thai food, speak Thai and I know all the crew members."

And he got another good break when the government said that he did not have to serve a military draft, which is compulsory for young men between 20 and 23. Defence Ministry spokesman Maj-Gen. Palangoon Kraham said that the Bangkok metropolitan administration applied for an exemption on Paradorn's behalf, certifying that he teaches physical education at a local school. Teachers are exempt from the draft and Paradorn must be thanking his stars he picked up a racket when he was a kid. But he says, "I would have done it if I had to. After all, I am Thai."

This Thai is having a very busy life. He gets up at 6.30 a.m. and hits the bed only at 10.30 p.m. "It is very hectic," he says. "You are travelling a lot, going in and out of different hotels and cities." On the days he has matches, he works out for half an hour. Otherwise, he trains in the mornings and evenings.

To calm the mind, he follows the tenets of Buddhism. "My faith keeps me strong and cool on court," he says. "Even when I lose, I take only 20 minutes to forget the match. Then I am smiling again, unlike other players who are upset for two days." His success formula is simple: "I have always been inspired by Michael Chang [former French Open champion] who told me to follow three words, 'Never give up.'"

Asked whether he hung around with other Asian players because he felt lonely, Paradorn says, "Not necessarily, but many of them are my friends, like Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. Usually, players interact only in the lobby of the hotel before or after matches. There is a friendly spirit everywhere, although everyone is fiercely competitive on the courts."

And making money, also. Paradorn earned $640,000 in 2002 and in Chennai, for a few day's work, he pocketed a cool $52,000, but he says that he spends 1 million baht on travel every year. That would reduce now that Thai Airways is footing the bill. "My family had to spend a lot in the earlier years," he says. "But I am playing to win, not to get rich."

Still, he ensures that he does not stay more than 180 days in Thailand, for tax reasons. "But I don't get a chance to stay that long," he says and then admits, "It does help for tax reasons."

Paradon has had a morale-boosting start to the 2003 season, and in the Tata Open he did not drop a single set in the entire tournament. If there is a cause for worry, it is his serve. He had far too many double faults and he needs to work on this aspect if he doesn't want want opponents to do a demolition job on him in the Australian Open.

"I have trained hard during the off season," he says. "And I feel good. But it is going to be difficult since we all know each other's game."

The 6'1" player dons a lucky red T-shirt when he is in a tight corner in a match, has spiky hair, smiles easily and does a 'wai' (namaste, Thai style), to all four corners of the court after a match, irrespective of whether he has won or not. "I might lose a match," he says, "but I love to win the crowd. That is why I like playing in Asian countries because the crowds are behind me. I enjoyed the Chennai crowd very much."

In this coming season, crowds all over the world will expect to see fireworks from Paradorn. And a bit of history if he cracks the top ten.

Ball? Naah... superball
Birthday July 14, 1979
Turned pro 1997
Career singles titles 3
Career win-loss record 87-67
Best friend on tour Jan Michael Gambill
Old Nickname 'Ball'
New nickname 'Superball'
No-No Smoking, drinking, sleeping late
Yes-yes Listening to music and watching movie